Principles of intercession, interceding, and intercessory prayer

Intercession is different than supplications, prayers, thanksgivings, advocating, and mediating. It is the opposite of sin missing the mark of God’s will (The controversy of sin). Intercession paints the word picture of guiding the believer to hit the bullseye of God’s will.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1 KJV)

Supplication — G1162 deésis: a need, entreaty.
Usage: supplication, prayer, entreaty.

Prayer — G4335 proseuché: prayer.
Usage: (a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).

Intercession — G1783 enteuxis: a petition, i.e. spec. supplication.
Usage: (lit: approaching the king, hence a technical term), a petition, prayer, intercession.

Thanksgiving — G2169 eucharistia: thankfulness, giving of thanks.
Usage: thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving.

Prayers of intercession

We can offer prayers of intercession encouraging others to hit the bullseye of God’s will.

Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:7)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

• 3 requirements for effectual fervent prayer: ask, seek, and knock
• 10 Ways Prayers are Hindered (#5 is Shocking)
• 10 mistakes most people make when praying

Qualifications of the intercessor

In order to be able to offer intercessory prayers to guide others to hit the bullseye of God’s will, you have to be walking the walk not just talking the talk. The qualifications for elders, leaders, deacons, and bishops in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are a good start.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it was taught, so that by sound teaching he will be able to encourage others and refute those who contradict this message. (Titus 1:9)

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT)

Then they will be able to offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven and to pray for the lives of the king and his sons. (Ezra 6:10)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. (1 Timothy 5:5)

• Who is a deacon?
• 5 ways to be an example to all believers
• Matthew 7:3 the mote in your friend’s eye

Apostle Paul’s Intercessory Prayers

The Apostle Paul recorded some of the most amazing intercessory prayers for our benefit. He never saw some of these Christians that he prayed for. But he loved them and cared for them just the same. We can pray this way for everyone.

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11)

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8)

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Colossians 1:9-12)

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

But don’t intercede for sin

In Jeremiah 7, the word of the LORD warned the people against continuing in their evil ways. He reminded them of his promises to bless them. He reminded them of the danger of turning away from him. But they wouldn’t listen.

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. (Jeremiah 7:16)

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (1 John 5:16)

• The controversy of sin
• 101 Verses on Walking With One Another
• 7 Characteristics of a Real, Genuine, Sincere Apology